Chapter 9 - How did Singapore safeguard its independence After 1965? [Diplomacy and Deterrence] Flashcards
What were the security challenges that SG faced?
How was the Cold War a threat?
-Konfrontasi
-Communist terrorism
-International terrorism
-The Vietnam War
-Withdrawal of British forces
-The SG government was concerned that the intensifying Cold War threatened stability in parts of SEA
What led to Konfrontasi?
How did the then Federation of Malaysia defend itself?
-The Indonesian President launched Konfrontasi as he opposed the Federation, believing that it would give the British continued control of the territories in the Federation. He also had ambitions of uniting the Malay Archipelago under his leadership.
-During Konfrontasi from 1963 to 1966, there was fighting between the Indonesian, Malaysian and Commonwealth forces along the long land border that Malaysia shared with Indonesia. Many soldiers, including those from SG, spent months patrolling the border.
As many as ___ bombings were carried out by Indonesian saboteurs in SG during the conflict, to _____ the population and ______ life in SG.
What was Singapore’s response to the bombings?
What was the deadliest incident in Singapore’s during Konfrontasi? What did Singapore’s do as a response and what responses did it incite among some locals?
-42, terrorise, disrupt
-Singaporeans were advised to stay on high alert and to avoid suspicious-looking parcels in buildings and along streets. A volunteer force was deployed to patrol neighbourhoods, and schools carried out emergency drills.
-The MacDonald House bombing. SG arrested two Indonesian soldiers for the bombing. They were charged with murder, found guilty and hanged. This angered Indonesian students, and they attacked the Singapore’s embassy and homes of Singaporean diplomats in Jakarta.
What were the communist threats faced by Singapore? Why were the _____ still considered a threat?
-Singapore had to guard itself against attacks by communist groups. The MCP also posed a threat to internal security.
-MCP.
They were still considered a threat, even though the Malayan Emergency was over. By the 1970s, the MCP had split into smaller groups. Though they were no longer a formidable unified force, they still posed a danger. During the 1970s, the communists carried out various acts of violence such as murder, bombing and attempted assassination.
Singapore’s first encounter with international terrorism was in ____ when foreign terrorists hijacked the ferry boat _____ and _______. The terrorists had earlier attacked an ______ to ______ from Singapore to South Vietnam. After days of negotiation, the hijackers agreed to_____ in exchange for _____ from Singapore to ______.
The vietnam war started after the departure of the French after the peace agreement in the year ____, dividing the country into N. Vietnam and S. Vietnam. Both territories were determined to ________ the country under their own rule. The Vietnam War lasted from _____ - ______, with the victory of communist N. Vietnam.
-1974, Laju, held crew hostage, oil refinery, disrupt oil supply, release the hostages, safe passage, Kuwait.
-1954, reunify, 1956-1975
Why did the British decide to withdraw its troops from Singapore’s?
What year did the British government announce its withdrawal of troops?
By ____, the majority of British forces had left, and the withdrawal was completed in ____.
How did the withdrawal affect Singapore.
State the two ways in which Singapore approached its security challenges.
-They could no longer afford the large amount of money and resources to maintain their military commitment in Singapore. The British government had to focus on rebuilding its economy at home.
-1967
-1971,1976
-The British bases generated employment for many locals who provided goods and services to the British military. The withdrawal left many locals unemployed. The withdrawal also left Singapore with insufficient soldiers to defend against external threats.
-Diplomacy and deterrence
How did Singapore hope to approach its security challenges through deterrence? How would deterrence help Singapore’s security?
How did Singapore hope to approach its security challenges through diplomacy? How would diplomacy help Singapore’s security?
-They aimed to build a credible defence force that would make potential enemies think twice before attacking. If deterrence failed and war broke out, Singapore’s defence force also had to be capable of defeating the enemy swiftly and decisively.
-They aimed to establish and develop strong relationships with governments and defence forces around the world. Through this, Singapore could train with and learn from more militaries elsewhere, have access to advanced technologies,and ensure that others would have a stake/interest in persevering Singapore’s peace and stability.
How and when did Singapore build a defence force?
What were the reactions to the introduction of National Service? Why was this so?
The Singapore government introduced National Service in 1967.
The introduction of NS was met with anxiety and uncertainty from many young men and their families. This was because many men from poorer families were expected to find a job quickly upon leaving school and contribute to the household income. However, NS delayed their entry into the workforce and many families would lose the income they could have earned. Life in the military was also unfamiliar to the majority of Singaporeans. NS was a big change and they had to adapt to the disciplined lifestyle of the military. Training was physically demanding and they had to manage anxieties being away from their families. Many families were also worried about the well-being of their sons upon conscription.
Why did Singapore need to manufacture its own defence equipment?
What did Singapore do to manufacture its own defence equipment?
When was CIS established?
Soldiers need a whole range of equipment to train and fight wars, both basic and sophisticated. Plus, the equipment the SAF inherited from the British was mostly obsolete and inadequate for the growing demands of the SAF. Singapore relying on foreign countries for all its military equipment was a potential weakness. Thus, it needed to manufacture its own weapons.
The CIS was established to produce ammunition and weapons for the SAF. Defence engineers and scientists were also trained to design and create new technology that was suitable for SG’s defence needs.
1967
What did Singapore do to strengthen its security through diplomacy?
-SG strengthened its military cooperation with other countries
-SG strengthen its relations with the world, by:
[Establishing diplomatic relations with other countries]
[Growing bilateral relations]
-Joining international and regional organisations
How did Singapore strengthen its military cooperation with other countries? How did this help its security?
When was the FDPA established?
SG built on its existing relations with Commonwealth countries and established new ties with countries such as the US. This allowed the SAF to buy equipment from them, and train with and learn from other more experienced armed forces. SG also established the FDPA with Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand and Britain. They would consult one another in the event of armed attacks on SG or Malaysia. The FDPA has facilitated regular combined military exercises among the five countries, providing a platform for Singapore to enhance defence cooperation.
1971
Why did Singapore also establish diplomatic relations with other countries?
Why did Singapore grow bilateral relationships with other countries?
Singapore could not take for granted that other countries would recognise its independence. Without this recognition, hostile countries could claim that Singapore had no right to exist, and could threaten or even invade it. Developing diplomatic relations ensured that Singapore had friends that recognised its independence and had an interest in keeping it safe and secure.
Singapore also grew bilateral relationships, as it needed to establish new relationships with influential countries in the world. It also needed to cultivate friendships with as many countries as possible, even those that did not have direct interests in the region, or were located far away. SG also sought to improve ties with countries it had tensions with, such as Indonesia.
Why did Singapore join international and regional organisations?
What were some organisations that SG joined?
It was important for Singapore to join international organisations that would recognise its existence as an independent country. Membership in these organisations also allowed Singapore to participate in international and regional matters, and have its voice heard by the world.
UN, ASEAN
